Adjustable protective cover for books

ABSTRACT

An adjustable protective cover attachable to the exterior of either a casebound or a paperback book formed from flexible synthetic resin sheet material comprising two sections each having two overlying plies of said material connected permanently along three edges by heat-sealing to form pockets respectively positioned to receive the covers of a casebound or paperback book, one of said sections having one free edge extending laterally beyond the open edge of the pocket to provide a connecting panel adapted to extend around the spine of a casebound or paperback book, and adhesive means to connect the outer edge portion of said connecting panel to the other section of said cover to secure the sections together to provide a unitary cover. When used with paperback books, each of said pockets also is arranged to contain a thin stiffening board of substantially the same size as the covers of a paperback book which is to be received in the pockets, said boards being positioned adjacent the inner surfaces of said book covers when received within said pockets, whereby the entire exterior of a paperback book may be viewed through the transparent cover which overlies said outer surfaces thereof.

United States Patent {72] lnventors Samuel M. Learned; PrimaryExaminerLawrence Charles Joseph E. Wisotzkey, York. Pa. Attorney-C.Hercus Just [21 1 Appl. No. 808,126 [22] Filed Mar. 18, 1969 [45]patented Man 30 1971 ABSTRACT: An ad ustable protective cover attachableto the [73] Assignee The Maple Press Company exterior of either acasebound or a paperback book formed York, Pa. from flexible syntheticresin sheet material comprising two sections each having two overlyingplies of said material connected permanently along three edges byheat-sealing to form pockets respectively positioned to receive thecovers of a 54] ADJUSTABLE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR BOOKS casebound orpaperback book, one of said sections having one zclaims, 12 DrawingFigs. free edge extending laterally beyond the open edge of the pocketto provide a connecting panel adapted to extend 281/34 around the spineof a casebound or paperback book, and adl l Cl 342d hesive means toconnect the outer edge portion of said con- [50] Field Of Search 281/34,37 eeting pane] to the other ection of aid cover to ecure the sectionstogether to provide a unitary cover. When used with [56] References andpaperback books, each of said pockets also is arranged to con- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS tain a thin stiffening board of substantially the samesize as the 949,307 2/ 1910 Smalley 281/34 covers of a paperback bookwhich is to be received in the 1,525,688 2/1925 Page 281/34 pockets,said boards being positioned adjacent the inner sur- 2,850,295 9/ 1958Niederman et al. 281/34 faces of said book covers when received withinsaid pockets, 2,935,337 5/1960 Ecclestone 281/34 whereby the entireexterior of a paperback book may be 3,133,750 5/ 1964 Gerald 281/34viewed through the transparent cover which overlies said 3,367,680 2/1968 Greenspan 281/37 outer surfaces thereof.

PATENTED man Ian SHEET 1 BF 2 FIG.2

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INVENTORS E @K Z T M Y Em E LW N ME T HH T iv A MS% A0 SJ Y FIG.3

PATENTEU M30197 INVENTORS SAMUEL M. LEARNE BY JOSEPH OTZK I nv E WISATTOR F u a e a. F k

, l ADJUSTABLE PROTECTIVE COVER FOR BOOKS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONFor many years, various types of protective covers formed from paperhave been available for covering books and especially books having stiffcovers. However, paper covers of this type render the names and otheridentifying indicia and decorations on the outside of books obscure sothat the book has to be opened to learn the title thereof, for example.

More recently, transparent book covers have been available havingpockets which usually are relatively narrow, adjacent opposite ends ofthe cover, said covers being unitary and adapted to receive either thestiff covers on casebound books or the covers of so-called paperbackbooks, thereby rendering the exterior of such books visible through thetransparent material from which the protective covers are formed. Theprincipal difficulty present in book covers of this type, however, isthe fact that there must be many different sizes of protective coversprovided to accommodate a reasonable range of different sizes of booksand particularly books of different thicknesses. In this regard, it isobvious that a protective cover for a book one-half inch in thicknessmust be substantially narrower than a protective cover for a book 2inches or more in thickness.

To apply a certain specific size of protective book cover respectivelyto such a relatively thin book and also to a relatively thick book ofthe same size-otherwise usually results in the protective cover beingmuch too large for the thin book so that a very loose fit results andthe desired support and protection is not realized, while if the samecover is applied to such a relatively thick book and particularly onewhich is too thick to actually be accommodated by such protective cover,damage will be sustained by the book after a relatively short period oftime by the hinges of the book covers becoming broken as well as causingother forms of injury.

Attention also has been given to stiffening the covers of a so-calledpaperback book in the form of a three-part protective cover comprisingthe subject matter of US. Pat. No. 3,l 33,750, issued May 19, 1964, inwhich two similar protective sheets have cement applied to one surfacethereof for purposes of a portion of the sheet adhering to a stiffeningboard and extending beyond one edge thereof, whereby,the stiffeningboard may be applied against the exterior surface of the cover of apaperback book and the projecting edge of the protective cover sheet isaffixed by the adhesive thereon to the inner surface of the cover of thepaperback book. One such board and protective sheet is applied to eachcover of the paperback book, and a third protective sheet havingadhesive on one surface thereof extends across the spine of the book andopposite edges thereof project evenly from opposite edges of the spineand are applied by adhesive to the exterior surfaces of the previouslyapplied combination boards and protective cover sheets. In order toneatly affix such a protective cover to a paperback book, considerableskill is required and, in addition, when such a book is covered by saidmeans, the title and artwork normally printed upon at least one cover ofa paperback book is rendered completely obscure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention supplies a need presentlyexisting in the protective book cover field for both casebound andpaperback books by providing a protective book cover preferably formedfrom flexible synthetic resin sheet material which is thermoplasticso-that overlying plies thereof may be sealed along a pair of'oppositeedges and the intervening edge to form a rectangular pocket to receivethe cover of a casebound or paperback book. The protective covercomprises sections each having such a pocket thereon, one of saidsections having the edge of one ply adjacent the open end of the pocketextending laterally beyond the pocket an adequate amount to form aconnecting panel adapted to extend around the spine of a book whenenclosed by said two sections, and adhesive means, of which severalembodiments are provided, are used to secure the outer edge portion ofsaid connecting panel of the one section to the other section and thusneatly and effi- LII ciently fit such a compound type of protectivecover to any given size of casebound or paperback book, regardless ofthickness thereof within reasonable limits. Under such circumstances, itis only necessary to maintain in inventory a limited number of differentlengths of such cover sections in the direction parallel to the hingewhich connects a book cover to the back or spine of a book.

Still another improvement afforded by the present invention comprisesthe provision of thin stiffening boards which are insertable within thepockets of said protective cover adjacent the inner surfaces of thecovers or a paperback. book whereby desirable stiffening, strength, andprotection of said covers of a paperback book is afforded while thetransparent nature of the protective cover renders all outer surfaces ofthe paperback book readily visible through the protective cover.

Still another advantage afforded by the present invention comprisesproviding hinge-stiffening means in the form of a relatively narrowflexible strip having adhesive, such as pressure-sensitive cement,applied to one surface thereof, said strips being affixable to the innersurfaces of the covers of a casebound or paperback book adjacent thehinge thereof and extending also along the portion of the first insidepage of the book, such reinforcing strip preferably being arrangedsubstantially evenly on opposite sides of said hinge for the book coverof a casebound or paperback book and thereby substantially lengtheningthe life of the hinges for the covers of casebound or paperback books.

BRIEF DESCRIII ION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective, explodedview of an exemplary casebound or paperback book and two sections of aprotective cover incorporating one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing the protective coverillustrated in FIG. I applied to an exemplary book shown in partiallyopen condition, said view also illustrating stiffening boards insertedwithin the pockets adjacent the inner surfaces of the covers of apaperback book so that the exterior surfaces of the paperback book arevisible through the transparent book cover.

FIG. 3 is a small perspective view showing the manner in which the outersurfaces of a paperback book mounted within the embodiment oftransparent protective cover illustrated in FIGS. I and 2 may be seentherethrough.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4-4 ofFIG. 2 and showing the arrangement by which the protective cover plieswhich form the pocket enclose both the cover of a paperback book and astiffening board adjacent the inner surface of said book cover.

FIG. 5 is a transverse sectional view of an assembled protective bookcover as seen generally on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the front cover of a casebound orpaperback book enclosed within the protective cover embodying theinvention shown in the preceding FIGS.

FIG. 7 is an assembled pair of sections generally incorporating anotherembodiment of the invention slightly different from the embodimentsshown in the preceding FIGS.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged slightly exploded transverse sectional view of theassembledcover shown in FIG. 7 as seen on the line 8-8 thereof.

FIG. 9 is a slightly exploded, plan view of the embodiment of twosections of protective cover similar to that shown in FIG. I butillustrating a different location for the cement means used to connectthe two sections together after application thereof to a casebound orpaperback book,

FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary detail showing an exemplaryappearance of the heat-sealed edges of panels of the protective coverwhich form the pockets to receive the covers of a casebound or paperbackbook.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another feature of the presentinvention for reinforcing the conventional hinge of the cover of acasebound or paperback book.

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of the book shown in FIG. 11 with the coversthereof extended into a common plane to illustrate the hinge reinforcingstrips mounted in operative position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, anexemplary paperback book is illustrated therein in perspective. Saidbook comprises a body 12 of leaves formed from a plurality of signaturesthereof, opposite book covers 14 and 16 made from heavy paper or sheetstock known as tag board or cloth covered casemaking board and the backor spine which secures the signatures and pages of the body of leaves 12together. The outer surfaces of one or both of the book covers 14 or 16usually has the title printed thereon and/or appropriate designs andornamentation to enhance the esthetic appearance of the book. The spineportion usually has at least the title and the author of the bookprinted thereon attractively.

As indicated above, the principal objective of the present invention isto provide a preferably transparent protective cover for such acasebound or paperback book, the same being formed from durable materialsuch as a suitable synthetic resin in sheet form and preferably being ofa thermoplastic nature for purposes to be described. By utilizingtransparent or at least substantially transparent sheet material to formsuch protective cover, the color, title and indicia, and otherdecorations printed upon the outer surfaces of the book covers and/orspines readily may be viewed through the protective cover, therebyrepresenting a marked improvement over conventional covers which areintended to protect the contents of a book.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, oneembodiment of protective cover is shown in FIG. 1 in the form of a pairof sections and 22. Each section is formed from a plurality of plies 24and 26, the plies 26 being substantially equal in length to the plies 24but being narrower than plies 24 in a transverse direction. Preferably,the plies 26 of each section are of similar size, including the width ina direction transverse to the outer edge of each section. The plies 24and 26 are permanently connected to each other along the opposed narrowedges of the ply 26 and along the intervening outer edge of the section,preferably by heat'sealing, due to the fact that the sheet materialforming the protective cover section preferably is thermoplastic. Thisarrangement forms a pocket which is dimensioned with respect to the bookcovers 14 and 16 so as to have a close sliding fit with said covers toreceive the same to the full depth of said pockets. To facilitate thedisposition of the book covers 14 and 16 within the pockets, as well asfor other purposes to be described hereinafter, the plies 26 preferablyare appreciably narrower than the width of the book covers receivedtherein.

Although the plies 24 of said section may be of the same width in adirection transverse to the sealed outer edges 28 of said pockets, inthe preferred construction, the panel 24 of section 22 preferably iswider than the panel 24 of section 20 to provide a connecting panelwhich is sufficiently wide to extend around the back or spine 18 of acasebound or paperback book after the book covers 14 and 16 have beeninserted within the pockets of the sections 20 and 22 to the full extentthereof. The panel 30 also is sufficiently wide to overlap at least alimited portion of the exterior surface of the ply 24 of section 20. Ifdesired, the panel 30 may be precisely cut after the sections areapplied to a book, to abut the edges of the plies 24, and connect thesame by a suitable adhesive strip.

The width of the connecting panel 30 is sufficient to accommodate booksof an extensive range of thicknesses, at least within reasonable limits,so as to minimize the need for an extensive inventory except with regardto providing a range of sections varying in length in the directionparallel to the outer sealed edges 28 of the pockets thereof, suchvariations in length preferably being in regular increments, such as ofthe order of one-fourth inch or one-half inch, thereby accommodatingsuch cover sections to books having different lengths in directionsparallel to the outer edges of the covers thereof.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outeredge portion of the connecting panel 30 of section 22 is fixedlyconnected to a surface of ply 24 of section 20 which it overlies bymeans of a stripe of suitable adhesive 32 which extends along theconnecting panel 30 preferably for the full length thereof. Anappropriate type of transparent pressure-sensitive cement is highlyuseful for this purpose but, if desired, other types of cementcompatible with the material from which the sections of the protectivebook covers are formed may be used.

Particularly when the adhesive 32 is of a pressure-sensitive nature, itis preferred that the same be covered with a protective strip 34 untilattachment of the two sections together is to occur, after placement ofthe book covers 14 and 16 within the pockets of the protective coversections 20 and 22, for example. The manner in which the stripe ofadhesive 32 secures the sections 20 and 22 together can readily beunderstood from FIG. 5.

Another important advantage afforded by the present invention comprisesthe possibility to insert relatively thin, stiffening panels or boards36 within the pockets of the protective cover sections between the innersurfaces of the book covers 14 and I6 and the inner surfaces of theplies 26 of the pockets. The stiffening boards 36 may he formed from anysuitable material such as chip board of suitable thickness, fiber,synthetic resin, or otherwise. The length of the boards 36 preferably issubstantially equal to the length of the surfaces of the book covers I4and 16 against which they are applied and the width thereof preferablyis slightly less than that of said book covers in order that when thebook covers are closed and the boards are contained between the bookcovers 14 and I6 and the first and last pages of the body of leaves 12,the hinges 38 of the book covers will not be strained or damaged.

By the arrangement described above, insertion of the boards 36 withinthe pockets of the protective cover sections 20 and 22 is facilitated.The lesser width of the plies 26 of the pockets, compared to the widthof the boards 36, also facilitates the insertion of the boards withinsaid pockets in a manner to stiffen the normal book covers 14 and 16 ofsocalled paperback hooks. Further, many types of paperback books havevery attractive and artistic arrangements of the titles, authors names,and ornamental designs thereon. By arranging the stiffening boards 36adjacent the inner surfaces of the book covers 14 and I6, the exteriorsurfaces thereof as well as the exterior surface of the spine 18 arereadily visible through the transparent outer plies 26 of each of theprotective sections. This can be appreciated particularly from FIGS. 3and 6.

An exemplary, enlarge illustration of the manner in which the plies 24and 26 may be secured together at the outer edges thereof by means ofheat-sealing will be seen in FIG. I0, wherein such arrangement isillustrated in exemplary manner. As shown, the outer corners of theprotective cover sections 20 and 22 preferably are at least slightlyrounded so as not to afford objectionable sharpness which otherwisecould be annoying in handling a book enclosed in such protective cover.

Another embodiment of protective book cover is illustrated in FIGS. 7and 8 in which the sections 20 and 22 preferably are the same as in thepreceding embodiment. Also, the exemplary illustration of section 22having a connecting panel 30 projecting from the outer edge of the ply24 thereof is the same as in the preceding embodiment, though primarilyfor purposes of illustration rather than restriction inasmuch as the ply24 of section 20 likewise may have a similar connecting panel projectingfrom the outer edge thereof if desired. In this embodiment, the outeredge portion of the connecting panel 30 is connected in overlyingrelationship with part of the outer surface of ply 24 of section 20 bymeans of an auxiliary sealing tape or strip 40 which may be formed frommaterial similar to that from which the plies 24 are formed, forexample.

A layer 40 of suitable cement is applied to one surface of the sealingstrip 40, whereby when the strip is applied against the terminal edgeportion of connecting panel 30, it will securely affix the same to theoverlying portion of ply 30 of protective cover section 20. The cement42 may, for example, be similar to the strip of adhesive 32, forexample, described hereinabove, it being of a pressure-sensitive natureor otherwise. If desired, however, the connecting panel 30 may betrimmed, after the sections have been fitted to the covers of a book, sothat the edges of plies 24 abut, and the sealing strip 40 is appliedover said abutting edges to connect said sections.

In the exemplary arrangement shown in FIG. 9, a slight reversal of thestructure of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is illustrated inthat the ply 24 of section is wider than theply 24 of section 22. Thus,the section 20 provides a terminal portion 30 comprising a connectingpanel which may be wrapped around the back orspine 18 of-a casebound orpaperback book and the strip of adhesive 32 is on ply 24 of section 22for connecting contact with the interior, overlying surface of theconnecting panel 30 of section '20 to affix the two sections permanentlytogether in a manner to neatly and compactly enclose a casebound orpaperback book within said protective cover section. Although stiffeningboards are not illustrated in the arrangements shown in FIGS. 7-9, it isto be understood that such boards may be employed therein and have beenomitted primarily for purposes of simplifying the illustration.

Still another feature of the present invention is to provide reinforcingmeans for the hinges 38 of the book covers 14 and 16 of a casebound orpaperback book 10. By referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, it will be seen thatsuch reinforcement is provided in the form of ribbons or strips 44 ofsuitable flexible material, such as linen, suitable synthetic resin, orother appropriate material upon one surface of which appropriateadhesive is applied. By opening the book covers 14 and 16 to asufiicient extent, the hinge reinforcing strips 44 may be applied bymeans of said cement to the inner surface of each book cover 14 and I6,adjacent the hinges 38 of the book, the strips 44 preferably extendingapproximately evenly along opposite sides of the lines of said hinges soas similarly to overlie and be affixed to the adjacent surface of theoutermost pages of the body of leaves 12 of said book. 1

By way of illustration and without restriction thereto, it is intendedthat the plies 24 and 26 of the protective cover sections 20 and 22, aswell as the auxiliary sealing strip 40, for example, may be fonned fromany of a wide range of appropriate flexible and durable synthetic resinssuch as vinyl, vinyl laminates, polyesters, polystyrenes, eurethanes,and other- Said materials are all sufficiently thermoplastic to permitthe edges of the plies which form the pockets of said protective coversections to be permanently connected together by fusion or heat-sealing.To provide adequate rigidity to the protective cover sections, thethicknesses of the sheet material from which said plies of theprotective covers are formed may vary within the range of between 0.005inch and 0.015 inch but, if desired, thicker sheet material may be used.Further, the color of said material may vary from transparent,waterwhite to various desired transparent and translucent colored hues,such as pastel or otherwise, which may be selected to provide desirableesthetic characteristics.

The invention also lends itself readily to the attachment of a vbookmark strip 46 to one of the cover sections 20 or 22,

preferably to one edge of one of the plies 24 adjacent the open edge ofthe pocket formed by ply 26. An exemplary illustration of one form ofsuch strip 46 and an operable location is shown in FIG. 7. The strip 46is pliable and may be formed from the same material as plies 24 and 26.A thinner stock may be preferred, however, for the strip 46 in the eventplies 24 and 26 are of stock which is relatively thick for durability.The strip 46 preferably is of thermoplastic material and readily lendsitself to being attached to the cover section by fusion, such as when aheated sealing device is used to fuse the edges of plies 24 and 26together to form the cover-receiving pockets of the sections 20 and 22.The marking strip 46 is used in the usual manner to mark a place in abook within the united protective cover sections 20 and 22.

We claim: I l. A protective book cover adapted to extend around theexterior of the covers and spine of a casebound or paperback book, saidcover comprising two similar sections formed from relatively transparentsheet stock of durable flexible thermoplastic synthetic resin, eachsection comprising at one end two overlying plies of said sheet resin ofthe same length but one ply being substantially narrower than the otherand permanently connected by fusion along the narrow end edges and oneintervening side edge to one end portion of the wider ply to form apocket open along one edge to receive at least the outer end portion ofone cover of a book, the opposite end of each wider ply of each coversection being of a length adequate to extend around the spine of a bookand be disposed substantially in flat overlying relation with thecorresponding opposite end of the other cover section, a strip ofpliable sheet material having pressure-sensitive cement on one surfaceadapted to be applied over the terminal end portion of the outermostopposite end portion of the overlying opposite end portions of saidsections and adhere thereto and the adjacent portion of the otheropposite end portion to secure the two cover sections adjustablyconnected together to closely fit a selected book, and stiffening boardscomplementary in size to said pockets and slightly narrower'than thecover of a book to be enclosed in said cover respectively. positioned ineach pocket and adapted to be disposed against the inner surface of abook cover when mounted within said cover to stiffen the covers of suchbook.

2. The protective book cover according to claim I further including aplurality of flexible reinforcing strips respectively applicable to theinner surface of each book cover and the page facing the same along thehinge of each book cover to strengthen said hinges, said strips havingadhesive upon the surface thereof which is attachable to said covers andpage facing the same and said strips being adapted to be substantiallyevenly disposed on either side of said hinges of said book covers.

1. A protective book cover adapted to extend around the exterior of thecovers and spine of a casebound or paperback book, said cover comprisingtwo similar sections formed from relatively transparent sheet stock ofdurable flexible thermoplastic synthetic resin, each section comprisingat one end two overlying plies of said sheet resin of the same lengthbut one ply being substantially narrower than the other and permanentlyconnected by fusion along the narrow end edges and one intervening sideedge to one end portion of the wider ply to form a pocket open along oneedge to receive at least the outer end portion of one cover of a book,the opposite end of each wider ply of each cover section being of alength adequate to extend around the spine of a book and be disposedsubstantially in flat overlying relation with the corresponding oppositeend of the other cover section, a strip of pliable sheet material havingpressure-sensitive cement on one surface adapted to be applied over theterminal end portion of the outermost opposite end portion of theoverlying opposite end portions of said sections and adhere thereto andthe adjacent portion of the other opposite end portion to secure the twocover sections adjustably connected together to closely fit a selectedbook, and stiffening boards complementary in size to said pockets andslightly narrower than the cover of a book to be enclosed in said coverrespectively positioned in each pocket and adapted to be disposedagainst the inner surface of a book cover when mounted within said coverto stiffen the covers of such book.
 2. The protective book coveraccording to claim 1 further including a plurality of flexiblereinforcing strips respectively applicable to the inner surface of eachbook cover and the page facing the same along the hinge of each bookcover to strengthen said hinges, said strips having adhesive upon thesurface thereof which is attachable to said covers and page facing thesame and said strips being adapted to be substantially evenly disposedon either side of said hinges of said book covers.